joelc
Cedar Point, NC
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Joined: 02/23/2004
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I am confused. I have a 2012 Carriage Cameo with a battery box that measures 25Lx13HX8 5/8 deep and can not be enlarged. We recently had to purchase a 12V fridge, so now my demand for 12V is very high. My problem is what kind of battery and BRAND to get. I will probably need at least 200ah, Deep cycle. Don't know whether to get AGM or LI. If I get a LI then I will also have to change my on board converter/charger. I want to know the type of battery experience you have (Brand and type and size) and if you recommend it. When I go on the internet I find good reviews about "brand X", then find out that another site says the battery is junk. So what do you say? Remember, this is NOT for starting. Just a reliable HOUSE battery. By the way...mid price. Can't afford a $1000 battery. Also, I live full time, and am hooked up to shore power.
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agwill
enosburg falls, vt
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Joined: 09/22/2003
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Is it a compressor type 12 volt? If not you must stay plugged in all the time. No battery will last long. Your converter is needed at all times as you know fridge has a very high current draw.
al
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agwill
enosburg falls, vt
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Joined: 09/22/2003
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Is it a standard RV fridge? Is it a two way 115v and gas? They make three way also. A standard RV fridge runs on 115v when parked and switches to gas when not hooked up to 115v. Need more information.
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rhagfo
Portland, OR
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How large is the refer, likely three or four door. I would not rely on a single battery. We did a JC Refrigeration 12 volt compressor conversion on our Dometic RM2862, we have not yet needed to last long on battery, but expect that our two Interstate SRM27 deep cycle batteries will run us overnight. If you without shore power there are basically two situations:
1. Warm/hot outside no need for furnace, lots of run time for compressor.
2. Cold outside, furnace draw high, and refer draw low.
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wildtoad
Blythewood, SC
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I would think being hooked to power, any battery would do.
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joelc
Cedar Point, NC
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Agwill The fridge is a 12 Volt only. Dometic DMC 4101
To enlarge on my question with some more information. I currently have a Gel battery and according to the battery condition light in my RV it is in the RED zone. I can't run the fridge and lights without the lights dimming. So, the battery being less than 1 yr. old is not holding voltage.
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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If you are on shorepower, no need to upgrade the batteries at all.
A 12v compressor fridge will actually use less electricity than the old style absorption fridges and your battery charger should easily be able to handle it.
If you are going to be boondocking a bit, even then you don't need a huge battery bank. We have 2 stock 12v lead-acid batteries. Wok up this morning and still sitting at 12.6V.
What are the specs on your new fridge? Ours draws around 50watts when running but since it only runs part of the time, it really doesn't draw that much. Of course, some of this will vary depending on the temps...currently cool evenings so not a lot of fridge draw but balances with some furnace run time which wouldn't happen in warmer weather.
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opnspaces
San Diego Ca
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Joined: 12/22/2004
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joelc wrote:Agwill The fridge is a 12 Volt only. Dometic DMC 4101
To enlarge on my question with some more information. I currently have a Gel battery and according to the battery condition light in my RV it is in the RED zone. I can't run the fridge and lights without the lights dimming. So, the battery being less than 1 yr. old is not holding voltage.
You don't have a battery problem you have a charger problem. If as you say you are always on shore power you don't even need a battery. Just go to bestconverter.com and buy a new 3 or 4 stage charger for about $250 and be done with it. In your situation the battery is only there for backup in case the shore power goes out. If you feel you need to replace the battery then pretty much any cheap 12v battery will do.
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CA Traveler
The Western States
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Joined: 01/03/2004
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X2 on your charger and/or wiring, fix it. You can install 2x GC2s or any other flooded battery in enclosed boxes that are vented to the outside. My son and I did just that with the batteries in the front 5er storage area.
But first fix the charging issue.
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Bob
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joelc
Cedar Point, NC
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Checked the Charger/Converter per Progressive Dynamics directions, and it is fine.
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